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Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Advisor Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog Program: Computer Science, Specialization in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, M.S.
This is for planning purposes only, please check with your advisor with questions about your degree progress

Computer Science, Specialization in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, M.S.

E-mail: csgradstudies@bgsu.edu

This specialization is designed for students who want a focused study in Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics. The program provides intensive studies in the fundamentals of both Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics with a focus on traditional and mobile computing. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the M.S. degree, students in the Computer Science program are expected to be able to:

  • Perform research, discovery and integration by applying advanced knowledge of computer science
  • Critically analyze a body of current, published research in area of computer science
  • Evaluate algorithmic and/or software-based solutions to a given problem

Admission Requirements

  • GPA of 2.75 or better is required.
  • Submit the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The GRE will be waived if undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or better. Enter your GPA and GPA Scale with your undergraduate degree under Academic History.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Professional Resume
  • Statement of Purpose

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

Candidates must complete a total of 30 hours of graduate course work, including 18 hours of computer science or software engineering courses at or above the 6000 level and 12 additional hours of course work at or above the 5000 level as defined below: 

Core Courses (21 Credit Hours)

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
CS 5120 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms
CS 5050 - Research Methods in Computer Science
CS 5320 - Computer and Mobile Forensics
CS 5330 - Network Security and Forensics
CS 6210 - Computer Systems Security
SE 6310 - Secure Software Engineering
FORI 5400 - Law, Evidence and Procedure in Forensic Science

Culminating Experience (3-9 Credit Hours)

Plan I: Thesis

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
CS 6990 - Thesis Research (at least 3 and no more than 6 Hours)
CS 5850 - Readings in Computer Science (up to 3 hours)

Plan II:

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore

Option 1: Independent Project

CS 6910 - Directed Research (3 hours)
CS 5850 - Readings in Computer Science (up to 3 hours)

 

Option 2: Internship

CS 6890 - Internship (3 hours)
  • CS 5850 will not be counted towards the degree

    • Free Electives (0-6 Credit Hours)

    Additional SE or CS coursework at the 5000 level or above, such that at least 18 total credit hours are completed at the 6000 level or above excluding CS 5010, CS 5015, CS 5020, and CS 5030

    Minimum Total Credits (30 credits)

    Additional Requirements

    • Minimum of 3 credits of 6990 required for Plan I master’s students.  Maximum of 6 credits may be applied toward degree requirements. 
    • Minimum 3.0 graduate cumulative grade point average
    • Minimum of 18 credits must be at the 6000-level or higher
    • Minimum of  24 credits must be earned at BGSU
    • All requirements must be completed within six years from the end of the earliest course used to fulfill degree requirements.
    Notes:





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